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Somalia rejects Somaliland port deal with Ethiopia and UAE company

The government of Somalia has rejected the agreement signed between Ethiopia, Somaliland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) logistics company DP World.

In a statement declaring the agreement ‘null and void’, government said the agreement violated the unity of Somalia and the constitution.

CONFIRMED: The Somali govt has rejected yesterday’s agreement signed between UAE’s DP World, Somaliland and Ethiopia, and declared it “null and void”. Govt says agreement is contrary to the unity of Somalia and is in violation of the Somali constitution: statement pic.twitter.com/uxZuZvGOw6

But when Ali returned from the UAE, he told journalists that the Somali government was neither consulted nor involved in the Berbera Port Agreement.

He added that while the government welcomes foreign investment, all those seeking to acquire ports and similar resources must deal with the federal government.

Somaliland’s minister of information, Abdirahman Guri – Barwaqo responded to the premier’s rejection insisting that Somaliland has the right to enter agreements.

About Somaliland

Somaliland declared unilateral independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991. It has been under pressure to hold talks with Somalia which have so far been futile.

Somaliland can boast of an army, its own currency and legal system. The territory has been experiencing stability and economic prosperity and has been influential in the fight against piracy and terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

26 years of diplomatic isolation has made it difficult for Somaliland to have access to loans from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

It is regarded as the autonomous region of Somalia and not a sovereign state.